Pellet grill

ABSTRACT

A solid pellet fueled apparatus having a duel auger system and multi/high speed auger motor is disclosed. The duel auger may include first and second auger blades mounted on a single auger shaft having blade pitches configured to convey solid fuel in opposite directions towards a central burn pot. Each auger blade may service a separate solid fuel compartment provided in a single hopper. The auger motor may have a high-speed setting that may be selected for solid fuel clean out.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63/161,230 filed Mar. 15, 2021 and the benefit of U.S. Nonprovisionalapplication Ser. No. 17/683,152 filed Feb. 28, 2022, the disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to food cooking appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Outdoor cooking, and particularly the use of outdoor barbecue grills,smokers, and griddles, remains very popular. A number of differentappliances are currently available to cook food outdoors. Suchappliances require some form of power and/or fuel to generate the heatrequired for cooking, or in some instances to power systems used toignite and control the combustion of a given fuel. Over the years, themost popular power/fuel source has varied. Historically, popularheat/fuel sources have included electrical heating elements, wood logsand chips, charcoal briquettes, propane gas, natural gas, and morerecently biomass pellets. References herein to a “pellet grill” areintended to include all barbecue grills, smokers, ovens, heaters, andgriddles that use some form of pelletized (i.e., solid) fuel, whether ornot such fuel is technically considered biomass fuel.

Biomass pellets have several advantages over other fuel sources foroutdoor cooking. For one, biomass pellets are relatively easy and safeto transport and store. As compared with charcoal or wood, biomasspellets are also capable of providing a controlled burn rate and levelof heat. Still further, biomass pellets may be manufactured to provide aparticular “flavor” to the food by as a result of combusting a pelletincluding a particular wood type. For example, a consumer may selecthickory, maple, or cherry pellets, or a combination of pellet flavors,to impart a desired flavor to the cooked food.

Existing pellet grills, however, do have some disadvantages as currentlydesigned. For example, existing pellet grills typically require acontinuous supply of alternating current (AC) power limiting the use ofthe grill to locations with such power supplies. Thus, there is a needfor a pellet grill that is untethered to a continuous supply of ACelectrical power, such as a battery powered pellet grill.

In order to provide a truly portable and convenient pellet grilluntethered to an AC power source, it may be advantageous to provide apellet grill that can be used on a table top surface. Accordingly, thereis a need also for a pellet grill that can easily convert between beingused on a grill cart and being used on a table top surface.

In order to provide a pellet grill untethered to an AC power source, itmay be advantageous to reduce the power required to convey solid pelletfuel to the grill burn pot. Accordingly, there is a need also for apellet grill that provides improved conveyance of fuel pellets from astorage hopper to a combustion area, such as a burn pot by reducing thepower required to convey a given mass of pellet to a burn pot, and topower a pellet grill in general.

Known pellet grills include a single hopper for storage of solid pelletfuel for use in combustion. However, some users desire a mixture ofpellet flavors for cooking. Accordingly, there is a need also for apellet grill which improves the ease with which different flavors ofpellet can be utilized and/or mixed together during the cooking process.

Known pellet grills utilize a single speed motor and single auger toconvey solid fuel pellets to a burn pot, or alternatively, to an exitfor replacement or repair. The single speed auger motor may take afairly long time to empty a full pellet hopper. Accordingly, there is aneed also for a pellet grill that improves the ease with which a newflavor of pellet can replace an existing flavor of pellet stored in thegrill hopper.

Known pellet grills require a system for removing the ash that remainsafter combusting solid pellet fuel. Existing ash removal systems can bemessy and cause ash to spill on the ground or underlying surface.Accordingly, there is a need also for a pellet grill that improves theability and speed of clearing pellet ash from the grill for cleaningpurposes.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of some, but not necessarily allembodiments of the present invention to provide a pellet grill that isuntethered to a continuous supply of AC electrical power.

It is also an object of some but not necessarily all embodiments of thepresent invention to provide a pellet grill that can easily convertbetween being used on a grill cart and being used on a table top surfaceby providing a removable grill cart and retractable feet in a grill bodyor head unit.

It is also an object of some but not necessarily all embodiments of thepresent invention to provide a pellet grill that provides improvedconveyance of fuel pellets from a storage hopper to a combustion area,such as a burn pot, by including multiple auger blades for convey ofsolid fuel.

It is also an object of some but not necessarily all embodiments of thepresent invention to provide a pellet grill which improves the ease withwhich different flavors of pellet can be utilized during the cookingprocess by providing a solid fuel hopper having multiple distinctcompartments that may each contain a solid fuel of a different flavor.

It is also an object of some but not necessarily all embodiments of thepresent invention to provide a pellet grill that improves the ease withwhich a new flavor of pellet can replace an existing flavor of pelletstored in the grill hopper by providing for high-speed auger motoroperation for a pellet replacement procedure.

It is also an object of some but not necessarily all embodiments of thepresent invention to provide a pellet grill that improves the ability toclear all pellets from the grill for cleaning and/or replacementpurposes by providing for high-speed auger motor operation for a pelletclean-out procedure.

It is another object of some, but not necessarily all embodiments of thepresent invention to provide a pellet grill that reduces the powerrequired to convey a given mass of pellet to a burn pot, as well asreduces the electrical power requirements, in general, of a pelletgrill, by providing a duel auger blade system that conveys solid fuel toa central burn pot location from right and left storage locations.

In is another object of the some, but not necessarily all embodiments ofthe present invention to provide a pellet grill that improves upon theash removal process by improving upon the burn pot removable basedesign.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Responsive to the foregoing challenges, Applicant has developed aninnovative cooking grill, comprising: a solid fuel hopper; a burn pot;and an auger system including a first auger blade and a second augerblade, wherein the first auger blade has a first pitch configured toconvey solid fuel in a first direction and the second auger blade has asecond pitch configured to convey solid fuel in a second direction, andwherein the first direction and the second direction are differentdirections.

Applicant has further developed an innovative cooking grill, comprising:a grilling surface; a solid fuel hopper disposed along a front portionof the cooking grill directly in front of the grilling surface; a burnpot; and an auger system disposed between the solid fuel hopper and theburn pot, said auger system including a first auger blade and a secondauger blade.

Applicant has still further developed an innovative method of solid fuelclean-out and/or replacement for a cooking grill, comprising the stepsof: providing a solid fuel hopper having solid fuel in a firstcompartment and solid fuel in a second compartment; providing a firstauger blade dedicated to convey solid fuel from the first compartment;providing a second auger blade dedicated to convey solid fuel from thesecond compartment; rotating the first auger blade and the second augerblade at a first speed to convey solid fuel from the first compartmentand the second compartment for solid fuel burning operation; androtating the first auger blade and the second auger blade continuouslyat burning operation speed, or optionally at a second higher speed, toconvey solid fuel from the first compartment and the second compartmentfor solid fuel clean-out operation.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to assist the understanding of this invention, reference willnow be made to the appended drawings, in which like reference charactersrefer to like elements. The drawings are exemplary only and should notbe construed as limiting the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of a pellet grill with thehopper lid closed in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front of a pellet grill with thehopper lid removed in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the back of a pellet grill in accordancewith embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a right side cross-sectional view of a pellet grill inaccordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a cut-away cross-sectional view of a pellet grill head unit inaccordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a cut-away view of the bottom portion of a pellet grill headunit with a burn pot removable base in a closed position in accordancewith embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a cut-away view of the bottom portion of a pellet grill headunit with a burn pot removable base in an open or removed position inaccordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a removeable burn pot base in accordancewith embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a top cut-away view of a duel compartment hopper and duelauger in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a top cross-sectional view of a pellet grill head unit inaccordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a duel auger blade and auger shaftassembly in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the presentinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a pellet grill 10 may include alower cart 100 and an upper head unit 200. The cart 100 may include twosets of interconnected base legs 110 joined by one or more cart lateralsupports 116 and central fashioners, such as screws, bolts, cotter pins,or the like. The cart legs 110 may be provided with caster wheels 112and wheel locks. The leg tops 118 may be removably connected to the headunit 200. The size, shape, and design of the cart 100 may be variedwithout departing from the intended scope of the invention. For example,in alternative embodiments, the cart may include an enclosed cabinet forstorage and/or esthetic purposes.

The head unit 200 may include a grill body 210 having a left side wall212, and a right side wall 214, respectively. Side tables 290 may beconnected to the grill body 210 along the left and right side walls 212and 214 by one or more hinges at brackets. Optional silicone, or othercushioning material, bushings (not shown) may be provided on thebrackets to act as a cushioned stop between the lid 260 and the grillbody 210 (explained below). The outer edges of the side tables 290 maybe provided with handles 292 adapted for gripping. The handles 292 maybe grasped to pivot the side tables 290 upward about the hinges so thatthe top surfaces of the side tables are substantially flush with theside walls 212 and 214 of the head unit 200. When the side tables 290are in this upward position, the head unit 200 may be lifted from,and/or placed back on, the cart 100. The head unit 200 or the leg tops118 may be provided with connection mechanisms to lock and unlock thehead unit 200 to/from the cart 100. The side tables 290 may also beprovided with one or more scalloped recesses 300 with raised embossedinterior surfaces. The embossments may be provided with flat magnets ontheir inner surfaces so as to provide magnetic tool holders.

The front of the head unit 200 may include a pellet hopper 310 that hasa side-to-side width that is substantially the same as the width of thegrill body 210 (i.e., the distance between the left side wall 212 andthe right side wall 214). The pellet hopper 310 may have smoothly shapededges to prevent injury to a grill user. The pellet hopper 310 also maytaper inwardly from top to bottom to allow the grill user to more easilygain access to and operate the grill, and to promote the flow of pelletsin a downward direction under the influence of gravity. An example ofthe inward taper of the pellet hopper 310 is readily visible from FIG.4. With renewed reference to FIGS. 1-3, the lid 328 of the pellet hopper310 may include a center recess adapted to receive a readoutpanel/controller 404 and a control knob 400. The readoutpanel/controller 404 may be wirelessly or plug-in connected to variouselectrical components in the grill, such as a battery, auger motor, fanassembly, and spark generator (discussed below).

The head unit 200 may also include a rollback lid 260 having opposinglid sides 262 and a front contoured or bowed handle 272. The lid 260 isshown in a closed position in FIG. 3; and the lid is shown in an openposition in FIGS. 1-2. The lid sides 262 may include lid side pivotpoint caps 264 that conceal the pivot assembly that moveably connectsthe lid 260 to the grill body 210. Each pivot assembly may include, forexample, a lid side end bracket (not shown) which receives a shaft (notshown) about which the lid 260 may pivot between open and closedpositions. The lid side end bracket may be used to space the lid 260from the grill body 210 so that the lid may pivot relatively freelyabout the shaft connecting it to the grill body. The pivot shaft may beretained in place by a washer/fastener assembly (not shown) driven intothe shaft from the interior of the grill body 210. Alternativeembodiments may include a pivot bearing disposed between the lid 260 andthe shaft to further improve the pivoting motion.

With reference to FIG. 3, in which like reference characters refer tolike elements, as shown by the view of the back and side of the pelletgrill, the head unit 200 and more particularly, the grill body 210, mayinclude a rear wall 216 having a plurality of rear wall louver vents 218and extending vertically upward from a grill body bottom 220. The top ofthe grill body 210 may also include a top flange having one or more ventopenings (not shown in this embodiment) for the cooking chamber. The topflange may be configured to nearly contact, but remain free of, the lid260 when the lid pivots between open and closed positions. Preferably,the lid 260 may be configured to pivot through close to ninety (90)degrees of arc, or more preferably, more than ninety (90) degrees of arcin some embodiments.

The grill body may surround and support a primary cooking surface 280disposed above a flue gate (discussed below). A flue handle 270 may beconnected to and control the position of the flue gate. A ResistanceTemperature Detector (RTD) 402 may be mounted along an interior wall ofthe grill body 210. The RTD 402 may be electrically connected to thereadout panel/controller 404. A combination battery charger and ACreceptacle 378 may be connected to the readout panel/controller 404 andbattery (discussed below).

With reference to FIG. 4, the grill body 210 may include a warming rack500 provided above the primary cooking surface 280. A bowed grease plate282 may be disposed at an incline below the cooking surface 280. Thecentral upward bow of the grease plate 282 may form two side channels toencourage the smooth flow of grease towards a grease drip port (notshown). Grease collected on the grease plate 282 flows downward throughthe grease drip port and into a grease receptacle 286 (shown in FIG. 6).Disposable liners may be provided for the grease receptacle.

With reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 9 and 10, the full and partial views ofthe grill body 210 reveal the interior of the hopper 310. The hopper 310may include a first hopper compartment 312 and a second hoppercompartment 314 separated by a hopper center wall 316. Each of thehopper compartments 312 and 314 may be used to store different types ofpellet fuel. Each hopper compartment 312 and 314 may be further dividedby hopper dividers (not shown) to provide for the storage of more thantwo types of pellet flavors in the hopper 310. Each of the four interiorsurfaces (e.g., front interior surface 320, rear interior surface 322,left interior surface 324 and right interior surface 326) of the firstand second hopper compartments 312 and 314 may be inclined inwardly toencourage the downward flow of pellets in the compartments with theassistance of gravity. The bottom ends of the hopper compartments 312and 314 may be open so that fuel pellets may drop from the hoppercompartments into a dual blade auger 340. The hopper center wall 316 maybe sized to provide support for the readout panel/controller 404.

With continued reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 9, 10 and 11, the auger 340 mayhave a left auger blade 342 and a right auger blade 344 set withopposing blade angles or pitches. The respective left and right augerblades, 342 and 344, may be configured to convey pellets inwardly fromopposing (left side and right side) ends of the hopper 310 to a pelletfeed tube 332 located near or at the center of the hopper. Morespecifically, the left auger blade 342 and the right auger blade 344 mayhave a colinear axis of rotation, and the two auger blades convey solidfuel pellets in different directions, preferably in opposite directionstaken relative to a common reference line. The left and right augerblades, 342 and 344, may be connected to a single auger shaft 345, whichin turn connects the two auger blades. An auger center piece 343 havingone or more pins having a central axis extending away from the augershaft in an orthogonal direction. The auger 340 may be supported by oneor more auger bearings 346 and be partially encased by an auger housing350 defining a passage extending between (i) the bottom ends of thefirst and second hopper compartments 312 and 314 and (ii) the pelletfeed tube 332.

An auger motor 348 may drive the auger 340 at various predeterminedspeeds and/or for various durations under the control of the readoutpanel/controller 404 (shown in FIG. 1). The auger motor 348 may drivethe auger 340 at one or more predetermined speeds and/or predetermineddurations to provide a desired amount of fuel based on measuredtemperatures in the cooking chamber (i.e., the area above the cookingsurface 280) and/or measured temperatures in the heating chamber (i.e.,the area below the cooking surface). Temperature measurements may betaken using the RTD 402 (shown in FIG. 1) positioned as needed in thecooking chamber and/or the heating chamber. By using the dual auger 340and the front loading hopper 310 shown, less power may be consumed bythe auger motor 348 to convey a given mass of pellet fuel because thepellets are nearer the feed tube than is the case with known pelletgrills, and because the pellets only need to be conveyed a shortdistance from opposing sides of the hopper to a central feed tube. Thisdesign also may be used to conduct a pellet replacement operation and/ora pellet hopper/compartment cleaning operation using the auger system.By removing the burn pot base (discussed below) solid fuel pellets maybe conveyed from the first and second compartments 312 and 314 throughthe pellet feed tube 332 and out of the bottom of the burn pot 242 to areceptacle (not shown). Still further, under the control of the readoutpanel/controller 404, the auger motor 348 may be able to runcontinuously and/or at a relatively higher speed to quickly evacuate allpellets from the pellet hopper/compartment(s) for pellet clean-outoperations and/or pellet replacement operations as compared with therotational duration and/or speed of the auger motor for normal burnoperation. For example, such clean-out operations may result fromrunning the auger motor 348 continuously at least two to three times thespeed than as for burn operation, or even tens of RPMs faster than forburn operation. Preferably, the clean-out operation speed of the augermotor is continuous running in the range of 1.5 to 4 RPMs greater thanas for grill burn operation. In some embodiments, the higher clean-outspeed may be selectively controlled by the user using the readoutpanel/controller or some other control device.

With continued reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 9 and 10, retractable feet 230may be provided on the underside of the grill body bottom 220 so thatthe head unit can be set upon a table top. Each of the retractable feet230 may include a laterally wide, but vertically compacted base attachedto a central screw that may be advanced away from, or retracted into,the grill body bottom 220. The screws may be adjusted to provideleveling of the grill body for table top use.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 10, the pellet feed tube 332 may be inclineddownward and inward (i.e., towards the center of the grill body) to aburn pot 242. The burn pot 242 may include a number of openings 244 toprovide air flow from outside of the housing to its interior. A dualignitor or electrode 364 may extend through the walls of the burn pot242 into the interior of the burn pot. The electrode 364 may include twotips separated by an air gap across which a continuous spark may beprovided to ignite pellets in the burn pot 242. The electrode 364 may beretained in place using a pressure fit with the burn pot or otherfastening means. An electrical connector 366 may connect the electrode364 to a spark generator 360 that is in electrical communication with,and powered by, the battery 372 provided in battery compartment 370behind battery compartment cover 368.

With reference to FIG. 10, a cross-sectional view of the grill body 210is provided in which grill body bottom vents 222 are visible. The rearwall louver vents 218 in the grill body rear wall 216 with openings atthe lower end of the louvers are also readily visible. Still further,the arrangement of a battery compartment 370, battery compartment cover368, and a battery 372 are shown to be disposed as far as possible fromthe burn pot 242. It is appreciated that one or more heat shields may beprovided between the battery 372 and the burn pot 242. The batterycompartment 370 may also house an optional battery charger (not shown)that is connected to an AC receptacle 378 (shown in FIG. 1). The batterycharger may be connected to the battery 372.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the burn pot 242 may be connected to afan assembly 238 that may be used to draw air through fan intake ventsand thereafter direct the air to the burn pot 242. The readoutpanel/controller 404 may be used to control the speed of the fanassembly 232, the speed of the auger 340, and/or the spark generator 360to provide a selective level of pellet combustion and heat generation inthe burn pot 242. The controller may use a feed-back loop including oneor more of the RTDs 402 to provide a selected level of heat in thecooking chamber. The battery 372 may be of sufficient amperage and/orwattage to provide several hours of cooking operation in terms of powerfor the auger 340, the fan assembly 232, and the spark generator 360.

With reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 10, the first and second electrodes 364may each include a metallic tip extending away from a surroundingceramic insulator. Each metallic tip may be comprised of a circularcross-sectional stiff solid wire made of nickel-chromium alloy having adiameter of 1 to 4 millimeters, and more preferably 1.5 to 3.5millimeters. Each metallic tip may include a bend portion that directsthe end of the metallic tip towards the other metallic tip in the pairas shown in FIGS. 7-9. The pair of metallic tips may be bent orotherwise separated by an air gap across which a discharge spark may beprovided continuously to ignite pellets in the burn pot 242. Preferablythe air gap may be 4 to 6 millimeters, or more preferably 4.5 to 5.5millimeters. The electrodes 364 may be retained in place using amounting plate that is secured to the bottom of the grill body 210 byscrews or other fastening means. An electrical connector 366, such asconductive wire, may connect the electrodes 364 to a spark generator 360that is in electrical communication with, and powered by, the battery372. Preferably, the spark generator 360 may be provided in closeproximity to the battery 372. The spark generator 360 may include abooster coil and a Darlington transistor and have a power requirement of12V/3A to provide a continuous spark. By “continuous” spark, it is meantto describe a spark that is not a “pulse” spark that jumps the air gapquickly and lasts less than 1 second, but instead a constant arc ofspark lasting greater than 1 second, and in some instances lastingconstantly for up to 15-20 minutes to create combustion of solid fuel.At grill start up, the spark generator 360 preferably creates acontinuous spark for about 4 minutes or more to insure combustion.

While the grill 10 may be powered by an alternating current (AC) powersupply in some embodiments, in a preferred embodiment, the grill body210 may include the battery compartment 370 which receives the batterypack 372. The battery pack 372 may power all onboard electricalcomponents of the grill 10, including without limitation, the readoutpanel/power supply controller 404, the temperature sensor 402, a meatprobe (not shown), the fan assembly 232, the auger motor 348, and thespark generator 360. The battery pack 372 and battery compartment 370may be electrically connected via a positive battery output (12V+), anegative or ground battery output (12V−), and a battery chargeconnection to a distribution board. In turn, the distribution board maybe electrically connected to a main positive output (12V+), a mainnegative or ground output (12V−), an AC adapter negative or ground input(12V−), and an AC adapter positive input (12V+). The AC inputs may beconnected to the AC recharging receptacle 378 (shown in FIG. 1) adaptedto connect to a conventional AC wall socket plug (not shown). In apreferred embodiment, the battery pack may include six (6) lithium-ioncells that provide 5 Ah/8A output at a maximum/12V. The battery pack 372may be of sufficient amperage and/or wattage to provide up to 24 or morehours of grill operation in terms of power for the auger 340, the fanassembly 232, and the spark generator 360.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the retractable feet 230 areillustrated in a retracted position. With reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8,the grill body 210 may include two opposing flanges, rails or tracks 252configured to slidingly receive a removeable burn pot base 250. Theflanges 252 may be provided so that the burn pot base 250 may slideforward towards the front hopper 310 and away from the grill body 210.The duel ignitor 364 is visible in FIG. 7 just above the opening at thebottom of the burn pot. The burn pot base 250 may have a forward portionwith a raised surface that is essentially flush with the bottom of thegrill body 210, and a rear portion with a depression that is configuredto collect ash as the burn pot base is pulled forward. The burn pot base250 may be removed for solid fuel ash clean-out, or unburned solid fuelclean-out/replacement. During a pellet removal process, the auger 340may be run at high speed under the control of the readoutpanel/controller 404. Specifically, a method of solid fuel clean-outoperation may involve the steps of providing solid fuel in at least onehopper compartment, removing the burn pot base 250, and rotating atleast one of the auger blades at a second higher speed than is used forgrill burn operation in order to convey solid fuel from the at least onehopper compartment through the open bottom of the burn pot for theclean-out operation.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the invention may beembodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit oressential characteristics thereof. The elements described above areprovided as illustrative examples for implementing the invention. Oneskilled in the art will recognize that many other implementations arepossible without departing from the present invention as recited in theclaims. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intendedto be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention. Itis intended that the present invention cover all such modifications andvariations of the invention, provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed:
 1. A cooking grill, comprising: a solid fuel hopper; a burn pot; and an auger system including a first auger blade and a second auger blade, wherein the first auger blade has a first pitch configured to convey solid fuel in a first direction and the second auger blade has a second pitch configured to convey solid fuel in a second direction, and wherein the first direction and the second direction are different directions.
 2. The cooking grill of claim 1 wherein the auger system includes an auger shaft connecting the first auger blade and the second auger blade.
 3. The cooking grill of claim 2 further comprising one or more pins disposed between the first auger blade and the second auger blade and connected to the auger shaft, said one or more pins having a central axis extending away from the auger shaft in an orthogonal direction.
 4. The cooking grill of claim 2 wherein the solid fuel hopper includes a first compartment and a second compartment.
 5. The cooking grill of claim 4 wherein the first compartment is disposed generally above the first auger blade and the second compartment is disposed generally above the second auger blade.
 6. The cooking grill of claim 5 wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite directions taken relative to a reference line.
 7. The cooking grill of claim 6 wherein first auger blade and the second auger blade have a colinear axis of rotation.
 8. The cooking grill of claim 7 wherein the solid fuel hopper is disposed along a front portion of the cooking grill directly in front of a grilling surface.
 9. The cooking grill of claim 8 further comprising a control panel and a hopper lid, wherein the control panel is connected to the hopper lid.
 10. The cooking grill of claim 9 wherein the first auger blade extends along a left side portion of a front of the cooking grill and the second auger blade extends along a right side portion of a front of the cooking grill.
 11. The cooking grill of claim 1 further comprising an auger motor operatively connected to the first auger blade and the second auger blade, wherein the auger motor is configured to rotate the first auger blade and second auger blades at a first speed for burn operation and a second higher speed for solid fuel clean out operation.
 12. The cooking grill of claim 1 further comprising one or more pins disposed between the first auger blade and the second auger blade.
 13. The cooking grill of claim 1 wherein the solid fuel hopper includes a first compartment and a second compartment.
 14. The cooking grill of claim 13 wherein the first compartment is disposed generally above the first auger blade and the second compartment is disposed generally above the second auger blade.
 15. The cooking grill of claim 1 wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite directions taken relative to a reference line.
 16. The cooking grill of claim 1 wherein first auger blade and the second auger blade have a colinear axis of rotation.
 17. The cooking grill of claim 1 wherein the solid fuel hopper is disposed along a front portion of the cooking grill directly in front of a grilling surface.
 18. The cooking grill of claim 1 wherein the first auger blade extends along a left side portion of a front of the cooking grill and the second auger blade extends along a right side portion of a front of the cooking grill.
 19. A cooking grill, comprising: a grilling surface; a solid fuel hopper disposed along a front portion of the cooking grill directly in front of the grilling surface; a burn pot; and an auger system disposed between the solid fuel hopper and the burn pot, said auger system including a first auger blade and a second auger blade.
 20. The cooking grill of claim 19 wherein the auger system includes an auger shaft connecting the first auger blade and the second auger blade.
 21. The cooking grill of claim 20 further comprising one or more pins disposed between the first auger blade and the second auger blade and connected to the auger shaft, said one or more pins having a central axis extending away from the auger shaft in an orthogonal direction.
 22. The cooking grill of claim 19 wherein the solid fuel hopper includes a first compartment and a second compartment.
 23. The cooking grill of claim 22 wherein the first compartment is disposed generally above the first auger blade and the second compartment is disposed generally above the second auger blade.
 24. The cooking grill of claim 19 wherein the first auger blade has a first pitch configured to convey solid fuel in a first direction and the second auger blade has a second pitch configured to convey solid fuel in a second direction, and wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite directions taken relative to a reference line.
 25. The cooking grill of claim 24 wherein first auger blade and the second auger blade have a colinear axis of rotation.
 26. The cooking grill of claim 19 wherein first auger blade and the second auger blade have a colinear axis of rotation.
 27. The cooking grill of claim 19 wherein the first auger blade extends along a left side portion of the front portion of the cooking grill and the second auger blade extends along a right side portion of the front portion of the cooking grill.
 28. The cooking grill of claim 1 further comprising an auger motor operatively connected to the first auger blade and the second auger blade, wherein the auger motor is configured to rotate the first auger blade and second auger blades at a first speed for burn operation and a second higher speed for solid fuel clean out operation.
 29. A cooking grill comprising: a first auger blade for conveying solid fuel in a first direction; a second auger blade for conveying solid fuel in a second direction; and a solid fuel hopper having a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the first compartment is disposed generally above the first auger blade and the second compartment is disposed generally above the second auger blade.
 30. A method of solid fuel clean-out for a cooking grill, comprising the steps of: providing a solid fuel hopper having solid fuel in a first compartment and solid fuel in a second compartment; providing a first auger blade dedicated to convey solid fuel from the first compartment; providing a second auger blade dedicated to convey solid fuel from the second compartment; rotating the first auger blade and the second auger blade at a first speed to convey solid fuel from the first compartment and the second compartment for solid fuel burning operation; and rotating the first auger blade and the second auger blade at a second higher speed to convey solid fuel from the first compartment and the second compartment for solid fuel clean-out operation. 